Electric boat-steering system

ABSTRACT

A boat-steering system which includes a remote control, a twoway switch in an electrical circuit with a through pole motor for driving a gear train for selectively pivoting a tiller toward a right or left, the tiller arm being connected by cable to opposite sides of a steering arm of an outboard motor.

References Cited UNITED STATES PATENTS 5/1890 Harfield m n N. BH w me M w m m m E w a m r P 2,951,460 9/1960 Pierson.......... 3,234,417

John G. Staufier 922 River Ave., Alma, Mich. 48801 Sept. 11, 1969 Oct. 19, 1971 United States Patent [72] Inventor [21] Appl.No. 857

[22] Filed [45] Patented 7, 89.16; nected by cable to opposite sides of a steering arm of an out- 310/40 MM board motor.

ELECTRIC BOAT-STEERING SYSTEM This invention relates generally to boat-steering systems. More specifically it relates to steering systems for small boats of the type which incorporate an outboard motor.

A principal object of the present invention is to provide a boat-steering system which is remotely controlled and which accordingly can be controlled by an operator being placed in any part of the boat away from the outboard motor.

Another object of the present invention is to provide a boatsteering system which includes an electrical circuit having a control switch conveniently placed near an operator, the switch serving to drive a two directional motor for moving a tiller arm towards the arm, right or left, and thus control the steering direction for the boat. 9

Yet another object of the present invention is to provide an electric boat-steering system wherein the control switch can be portable so that the same may be placed at any location where an operation prefers to be.

Still another object of the present invention is to provide an electric boat-steering system which eliminates the necessity of the cumbersome steering wheel and wheel bracket normally associated with the steering of a boat, thus leaving more room in the boat for other purposes.

Yet a further object of the present invention is to provide an electric boat-steering system which at high speed could be improved by changing the speed of the motor to a slow r.p.m. for more safety.

Another object of the present invention is to provide an electric boat-steering system which can be readily transferred from one boat to another with a minimum amount of effort and time so as to install the same in another boat.

Otherobjects of the present invention are to provide an electric boat-steering system which is simple in design, inexpensive to manufacture, rugged in construction, easy to use and efficient in operation.

These and other objects will become readily evident upon a study of the following specification together with the accompanying drawing wherein:

FIG. 1 is a fragmentary perspective view of a boat looking toward the rear and showing the present invention installed therein;

FIG. 2 is a fragmentary elevation view in the direction 22 of FIG. I.

Referring now to the drawing in detail, the reference number 10 represents an electric boat-steering system, according to the present invention, wherein a kit comprised of components may be readily installed into a boat and which may be easily removed therefrom and transferred into another boat. Thus the kit can be readily and easily installed upon existing motor boats. The kit includes a metal plate 1 1 which can be mounted upon a transverse extending bulkhead, positioned relatively close and spaced apart from a rear transom or stem wall 13 so as to confine the operative mechanism rearward of the bulkhead l2 and allowing the remainder of the boat for comfortable use by occupants of the boat.

A three pole motor is mounted upon the plate 11, the motor being preferably rubber coated for water proofing purposes. The motor 14 is of 12 volt and is in an electrical circuit 15 with a two directional switch 16 connected thereto by means of conductors l7 and 18 enclosed within a long length of cable so that the switch 16 may be conveniently placed in a point of the boat and allow the operator full freedom to change his position. Accordingly the switch 16 may be of a portable type and need not necessarily be installed securely at any one point in the boat. One terminal of the switch is connected to a ground 19, and the motor has a forward contact likewise contacted to the ground 19. The conductor of the motor leading to the ground is intercepted by a battery 20, thereby completing an electrical circuit. The motor has an upward shaft 21 on which is mounted a gear 22, the gear 22 being engaged by a toothed sector 23 that is pivotable about a pin 24 as shown in FIG. 2 of the drawing. The sector 23 is connected pivotally free by means of a pin 25 to one end of a link 26, the opposite end of the link bein connected by a in 27 to one end of a centrally pivotable til er am 28, pivota le about a pin 29 mounted in the plate 11. The end of the tiller arm is connected by means of cable clamps 30 to one end of a pair of tiller cables 31 and 32. Each of the tiller cables are passed around a pulley 33 attached rotatably free on opposite sides of the boat 34, and the opposite ends of the cables are connected by means of cable clamps 35 to a steering arm 36 extending from under the motor 37 of outboard motor assembly 38 mounted over the rear transom of the boat. The steering arm accordingly extends forwardly into the boat and is used for normal manual control by an operator grasping the steering arm. However, in the present invention, the same is accomplished by the present invention.

An upper portion of the tiller arm 28 is connected to a tension coil spring 39, the opposite end of the spring 39 being rigidly affixed, the coil spring serving to pull the tiller arm toward its direction. A spiral spring, not shown, may be incorporated into the structure so as to influence the tiller arm in an opposite direction. Thus means are provided for normally retaining the tiller arm at a natural position.

In operative use, it will now be evident that by operating the switch 16, the steering am 36 may be moved toward the right or left and thus steering the boat. When the switch is turned toward the right, the boat will be steered toward the right and when the switch is turned toward the left, the boat will be steered toward the left. Any degree of steering can be made with a light touch of the switch to either direction or a complete turn may be made by a firm press on the switch.

What I now claim is:

1. In a boat-steering system, the combination of a remote control including electrical circuitry having a battery, a two directional switch, a three-pole electric motor in driving connection with a mechanical assembly which operates a steering arm of an outboard motor, wherein said mechanical assembly comprise a gear mounted on a shaft of said motor, said gear engaging a toothed sector pivotable about a pin mounted upon a mounting plate, said sector being connected to one end of a link, the opposite end of said link being pivotably connected to one end of a tiller arm, said tiller arm being centrally pivotable about a pivot in said mounting plate, the opposite end of said tiller arm being connected to one end of a pair of tiller cables.

2. The combination as set forth in claim 1 wherein each of said tiller cables are passed around a pulley carried on opposite sides of said boat and the opposite ends of said tiller cables being connected to said steering arm of said outboard motor for physically rotating said motor toward a right or left direction. 

1. In a boat-steering system, the combination of a remote control including electrical circuitry having a battery, a two directional switch, a three-pole electric motor in driving connection with a mechanical assembly which operates a steering arm of an outboard motor, wherein said mechanical assembly comprise a gear mounted on a shaft of said motor, said gear engaging a toothed sector pivotable about a pin mounted upon a mounting plate, said sector being connected to one end of a link, the opposite end of said link being pivotably connected to one end of a tiller arm, said tiller arm being centrally pivotable about a pivot in said mounting plate, the opposite end of said tiller arm being connected to one end of a pair of tiller cables.
 2. The combination as set forth in claim 1 wherein each of said tiller cables are passed around a pulley carried on opposite sides of said boat and the opposite ends of said tiller cables being connected to said steering arm of said outboard motor for physically rotating said motor toward a right or left direction. 